Latest news with #Cessna
Business Wire
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
General Aviation Community Unites to Support the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift
OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During the industry's iconic Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, leading general aviation organizations — including EAA and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) — announced their collective support and endorsement of the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift event. The Special Olympics Airlift, organized by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, mobilizes hundreds of volunteer Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker pilots and aircraft to create the world's largest peacetime airlift and provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Special Olympics athletes. This monumental event will transport hundreds of athletes and coaches across the country to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota's Twin Cities. 'The support of EAA, GAMA and our customers across the general aviation community is a powerful testament to the spirit of aviation and its ability to change lives,' said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. 'Together, we are creating unforgettable experiences for these athletes and demonstrating the true heart of our industry.' The industry is calling on Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft owners and operators to come together on Friday, June 19, 2026, and Saturday, June 27, 2026, to enable champions from all corners of the nation to travel to and from the host city, regardless of financial or logistical challenges. Owners and operators of Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air and Hawker aircraft can participate by volunteering their aircraft, crew, fuel and time. 'The Special Olympics Airlift is one of the most inspiring demonstrations of what aviation can do to uplift lives and unite communities,' said Jack J. Pelton, chairman and CEO, Experimental Aircraft Association. 'EAA is proud to support this extraordinary mission, and we deeply appreciate the dedication of the pilots and volunteers who make it possible. It's a shining example of aviation's heart.' Since the inception of the Special Olympics Airlift in 1987, Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker owners have transported more than 10,000 athletes and coaches to various Special Olympics World and USA Games. During the 2026 event, participating aircraft known as Doves are expected to touch down or takeoff from St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field (KSTP) every three minutes throughout a 10-hour period. 'The Special Olympics Airlift is an excellent example of how the general aviation community bands together to support special missions and give back. This noble effort provides Special Olympics athletes and coaches with the transportation necessary to create lasting memories of the games and inspiring achievements by the competitors,' said James Viola, president and CEO, GAMA. Everybody needs a lift every now and then. Become a Dove for this monumental nationwide aviation event by visiting About Textron Aviation We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit | | About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit:
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Alleged plane hijacker makes first court appearance in Richmond
Court records show 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim is facing a second charge of damaging or interfering with a navigation system. Cassim was arrested last Tuesday after allegedly threatening a flight instructor in Victoria, commandeering the Cessna and then flying to YVR.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Hijacking suspect in YVR incident set to appear in court on Tuesday
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook The suspect accused of hijacking a plane in Victoria and flying it over Vancouver International Airport airspace is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Shaheer Cassim, 39, was arrested last week after being accused of threatening a flight instructor, seizing control of a Cessna plane from Victoria International Airport and then flying it over YVR before landing on a runway. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Cassim was charged with hijacking the following day. Court records also show he is charged with damaging or interfering with a navigation facility. Cassim remains in custody and will undergo an assessment to determine if he is fit to stand trial. Story continues below advertisement More to come.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Cessna trainee pilot in Gujarat lost contact with controller around 10 nautical miles from March 31 crash site: AAIB report
A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the March 31 Cessna trainer crash in Mehsana says the aircraft lost contact with the APP (S&P) Controller around 10 nautical miles from the destination. The plane had crashed in a field in Ucharpi village of Mehsana district. The trainee pilot, though injured, survived. Local police had registered the incident. According to the report, the pilot was flying solo for a cross-country training exercise. The planned route was from Mehsana to Banswara, then Deesa, and back to Mehsana. The aircraft, a 1984 model, was owned and operated by Blue Ray Aviation Pvt Ltd. 'There were no abnormal reports from the aircraft until it was inbound to Mehsana after overflying Deesa,' the report stated. 'Ten nautical miles from Mehsana, the aircraft was in contact with Mehsana ATC (Ground VHF, maintained by BRAPL). However, communication was intermittent. As per one Assistant Flight Instructor's statement, the trainee pilot last reported at 4 NM inbound Mehsana at 2000 ft. After that, there was no further communication with ATC.' The report added: 'The aircraft crashed in a field in Ucharpi village, triggering the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Villagers nearby saw the low-flying aircraft and rushed to the site. They rescued the unconscious pilot and took her to the hospital immediately.' Citing a report from Ahmedabad ATC, the AAIB report noted: 'At 12:58:52 UTC, VT-PBA contacted the APP (S&P) Controller. The trainee requested her position and vectors to Mehsana. She reported maintaining 3500 feet. The controller gave regular vectors and position updates. At 13:04:27 UTC, the aircraft lost contact, around 10 NM from Mehsana.' The AAIB team visited the crash site. It collected engine parts, fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid samples. Investigators also interviewed the trainee pilot and the flight instructor.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Alleged B.C. hijacker Shaheer Cassim faces 2nd charge, court records show
Social Sharing The man accused of hijacking a plane and triggering a security scare at Vancouver International Airport last week faces a second charge related to the rogue flight. B.C. online court records say a charge of damaging or interfering with a navigation system was sworn Friday against Shaheer Cassim. Cassim was arrested July 15 after allegedly threatening a flight instructor at Victoria International Airport, seizing control of a small Cessna 172 plane, then circling the plane over Vancouver's airport before landing and being arrested by police. Police say the 39-year-old had an "ideological motive to disrupt airspace" and announced a charge of hijacking the day after the flight. They have not specified what the ideological motive was. WATCH | Ideological motive suspected in alleged hijacking: New details emerge around man charged in alleged plane hijacking in B.C. 4 days ago Shaheer Cassim has been charged with one count of hijacking after an incident that saw flights grounded at Vancouver's airport for a little under an hour. Police have said the suspect had "an ideological motive to disrupt airspace." A Facebook profile of a man with the same name that lists him as holding a commercial pilot's licence and having worked on Vancouver Island makes religious references and describes himself as both a "Messiah" and as someone "sent by Allah" to save the world from climate change. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if the accused is found guilty. A man with the same name has a social media profile where he lists himself as a former commercial airline pilot. The day before the alleged hijacking, the man posted on social media that he was a "messenger of Allah." "I am the Messiah sent to save humanity from climate change and usher in an era of world peace," the post reads. Cassim is expected to appear in provincial court in Richmond, B.C., on Tuesday. The alleged hijacking led to nine flights being diverted from Vancouver International Airport, and flights were grounded at the airport for just under 40 minutes in the middle of the day. U.S. fighter jets were scrambled in response to the alleged hijacking, though Cassim was ultimately arrested before they intercepted the plane at Vancouver airport.
